In some cases, reinstalling the scanner driver can help. Many times if a scanner has stopped working properly or if it is not communicating correctly with other programs or devices, reinstalling the driver can solve the problem. This process involves uninstalling and then reinstalling the scanner driver from either the manufacturer’s website or from the CD/DVD that came with the scanner.
The first step in reinstalling a scanner driver is to uninstall the current one. To do this, go to the Windows Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs or Uninstall a program. Find the listing for your scanner driver, highlight it and click Uninstall. Confirm that you would like to uninstall the driver before proceeding.
Once the driver has been uninstalled, you must then download the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website. The model name and number should be printed on a label on the scanner itself and can be used to look up the driver online. If possible, print a copy of the installation instructions as they will be useful if any problems arise while installing the new driver.
Now that the driver has been downloaded, use the Add/Remove Programs option to install the new driver. Usually the driver will come in a compressed file such as a zip file. Extract the files to a folder on your computer and then double click on the installation file. Follow the prompts that come up throughout the installation process.
Once the driver has been successfully installed, restart the computer. Once it has finished restarting, open the software program associated with the scanner and test to make sure that the scanner is working properly. If the scanner still does not work properly after reinstalling the driver, contact the manufacturer for support.
While reinstalling the scanner driver can often fix the problem, there may be other issues at play such as outdated firmware, damaged cables, or incorrect settings. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer for technical support.